High School Girls

US Lacrosse Announces 2014 Girls' HS/Youth Rules Updates

from Press Release

BALTIMORE, Oct. 9, 2013 – US Lacrosse today announced the
final rule revisions for the 2014 girls’ high school and
youth lacrosse rules. Both sets of rules are endorsed by the
National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) and
written by the US Lacrosse Women’s Game Rules Subcommittee
and approved by its Women’s Game Committee. The youth rules
are a product of modifications to the high school rules.

“US Lacrosse and its women’s game rules subcommittee
continue to focus on player safety and game integrity to promote
the responsible growth of the sport,” said Melissa Coyne, US
Lacrosse women’s game director. “Over the last four
years, the women’s game has seen a decrease in overall
injuries to players and we attribute some of that to successful
rule interventions. As the game continues to evolve and grow, we
will continue to evaluate the rules by which the game is played and
make adjustments as necessary to ensure a positive experience is
had by everyone on and off the field.”

The points of emphasis for the 2013-2014 season are strict
enforcement of rules governing illegal: body contact, obstruction
of free space to goal, repetitive fouls, and stick contact and
cross checking.

Major rule changes for the 2013-2014 season at all levels of
play include: decreasing the number of players from each team on
the draw circle from five to three; increasing penalty time for a
red card from two minutes to four; and disallowing additional
facial protection to be worn other than ASTM International-approved
goggles and mouth guard. ASTM International Women's Lacrosse
approved goggles have been the standard since the rule was created
in 2004.

The major rule change that affects only the youth level is that
under-11 and U13 coaches must now remain within their own coaching
area. This area is on the bench/table side of the field extending
from their side of the substitution area to their end line, and
even with the scorer's table extended (at least 4m from the
sideline) and does not include the area directly behind the
scorer's table.

The 2014 high school girls’ rules and 2014 US Lacrosse
girls’ youth rules are in effect for fall 2013
competition.

For more information and all rule revisions to the 2014 US
Lacrosse girls’ high school and youth rules, visit: uslacrosse.org/womensrules.

Questions regarding the process of rule development may be
directed to Melissa Coyne, US Lacrosse women’s game director
at mcoyne@uslacrosse.org.

Questions about rule interpretations for the girls’ youth
level rules, U15 and below, may be directed to Cathy Russo, US
Lacrosse youth rules interpreter at USLyouthrules@gmail.com.

Questions concerning rule interpretations for the girls’
high school level rules may be directed to Ericka Leslie, US
Lacrosse high school rules interpreter at USLrulesinterp@gmail.com.